Sound Generator's Single Of The Week

Jamie T does an unerringly accurate vocal impression of a drunk-to-the-eyeballs teenager on the blurry booze anthem "Calm Down Dearest". Streets-esque, "this is how it is" lyricism elevates this shouty, rough-hewn single into something pretty special, and that's not to mention the unexpected shift into a soulful, tearily emotional chorus which wouldn't sound out of place being sung by a boyband (in a good way, of course).

The pick of the rest of this week's releases...

The Good, The Bad & The Queen follow up the immensely delectable first taste of "Herculean" with new single "The Kingdom Of Doom", ahead of the release of their eponymous debut album next week. A crackling, detached feel permeates the song, with Albarn's unique croon hovering above an insistent chiming organ. It's unmistakable as an Albarn-penned song, and has his stamp of enduring quality emblazoned all over it. The album is surely set to be a corker.

The View are one of a bunch of bands poised for massive stardom this year, but on the strength of "Same Jeans" it's difficult to see why. A more unremarkable rendition of standard four-four indie would be difficult to find; The View's attempts to lend the song a touch of Dylan-esque atmosphere with some bluesy harmonica fail to disguise the fact that it's just another dose of sub-Libertines, ramshackle songwriting. Deeply unexciting.

Guillemots have released some fantastically quirky, wonderfully melody-drenched singles in their time so far, but "Annie Let's Not Wait" represents a slight dip in form for the multinational four-piece. While Fyfe Dangerfield bellows his very heart out and the song has distinct shades of Pulp's intelligent brand of indie, it just doesn't reach out and grab one's musical sensibilities in the same way as their earlier singles.

The smooth, slightly jazzy vibes of Joan As Police Woman find their natural home on a song like "The Ride". Laid-back, silky, soulful vocals make this tune very easy on the ears without being easy-listening. It does remind you a little bit of eighties diva Sadé though.

Having become an almost household name by virtue of their singer featuring on the revolting media monstrosity that is Celebrity Big Brother, The Ordinary Boys capitalise by releasing weak, dismal drivel like "I Luv U". This aberration of a song sounds like what Busted might have come up with if they were having a stab at the Christmas number one. The nursery rhyme lyrics compound the felony. This is the worst single of the year so far, without a doubt.

written by on 15/01/2007 00:00:00